IRO, a range of silks and organzas by artisanal label Ekaya Banaras, is statement-y and the rich hues are gorgeous. In a special collaboration to mark the launch, Anu Merton, jewellery and fashion designer, got into a few of the looks, all underlined by simple drama. t2 chatted with Palak Shah, CEO — Ekaya Banaras, and Merton about working together and the making of IRO.
Palak, the saris are exquisite and Anu, you look lovely. What was it like working on this together?
Palak: Working together was an absolute blast! Anu is such a breeze to collaborate with, just so easygoing and gung-ho about everything, much like me. Being fellow Welhamites, there was this instant connection and understanding that comes from sharing a similar background, you know?
What’s truly inspiring about Anu is her never-say-no attitude, she’s never once turned down an idea or a challenge and that’s something I truly admire about her. Our dynamics are fantastic, it’s all about being candid, speaking our minds and a lot of positive energy. Working with Anu was not only productive but also incredibly inspiring and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.
Anu: It’s been a joy! I really respect Palak for the brand she’s established, and for what she’s done with Ekaya in the last decade. A woman running a business is no small feat in a man’s world, especially in India. She’s a bright young girl trying to bring change and make a mark, and I love the direction she’s taking the brand in with those stunning saris. We also come from the same school, so our core values are very much alike, and makes it almost organic to collaborate.
Palak, what was the inspiration for IRO? What does the name mean?
Palak: The inspiration behind IRO comes from the vibrant spectrum of hues found in Japanese culture, hence the name, which means ‘hues’ in Japanese. The idea was not to create a very design-centric product but to create the ultimate introduction sari for everyone, the go-to sari for stepping into the beautiful world of draping that makes the first experience of sari memorable and enjoyable. We realised that many people might be intimidated by the idea of wearing a sari, so we wanted to make it more accessible and fun so that people could experiment with different styles. And if it brings a smile and a few compliments, well, you know you’ll want to wear it again and again!
Anu, which one was your favourite look?
Anu: It has to be the citrine yellow! It’s such an unusual colour, the fabric is luxurious, and it goes really well with gold-toned jewellery that everyone knows I have a weakness for. In fact, I wore it to a nightclub recently, and had at least five women come up and say they loved what I was wearing! Clearly a crowd favourite too.
Anu, do you love saris? What’s your favourite?
Anu: Of course! It’s easy to tell it is one of my favourite garments and all my earliest memories are associated with it — vivid ones... of the saris ma and nani wore, the array of gorgeousness they owned, and still do. The sari never fails in making me feel the most ‘myself’ and my sexiest. I love organzas forever, chiffons for summer, Benarasis for more formal looks, and satin silk for how beautifully it drapes. I have an emotional connect with sari, and I’m obsessed with how elegant and feminine they can be.
Palak, what are great spring-summer choices when it comes to saris?
Palak: When it comes to spring-summer saris, you can’t go wrong with the lightweight, effortless and easy-breezy drapes. Organzas and tissues are my top picks for this season. They’re so airy and comfortable, perfect for the balmy days ahead when you want to rock a sari without feeling weighed down. It’s all about embracing simplicity and minimalism and these saris definitely capture that vibe for me right now.